Backup imaging software – can you recommend alternatives to Macrium Reflect?

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[bumblebee]

A friend of mine has asked me to source a brand new desktop computer for him. I want to install some backup imaging software to his new machine. I have been using Macrium Reflect (free edition) for a number of years now, thanks to recommendations from this forum, and love it!

I know the makers of Macrium Reflect have removed the free edition and moved to an annual license subscription, which is a pity as this is way too expensive for my friend. He would have happily paid for a lifetime license, but sadly this is not an option.

Can anyone recommend any other (free ideally) backup imaging software?

• This topic was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by bumblebee.

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MR V8 free is still available (was last time I looked).
Aomei free is good – I use it.
Paragon.
EaseUs.
etc.

cheers, Paul

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bumblebee

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Paul T wrote:

MR V8 free is still available (was last time I looked). Aomei free is good – I use it. Paragon. EaseUs. etc.

Hi bumblebee:

Further to PaulT’s post # 2742408 about Macrium Reflect Free v8 (which I also use), if you decide to go with this software be sure to scroll down to the Editor’s Note at the bottom of that official download mirror at https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html, which states in part:

“To get to the free version. During installation, you need to check personal use > and agree to use the software only for personal, non-commercial purposes. Then, you will need to uncheck register this installation of Macrium Reflect.”

Many of the free disk imaging programs mentioned by others in this topic were reviewed in the Sept 2024 TechRepublic article at Top 5 Free & Reliable Hard Disk Drive Cloning Software (i.e., Clonezilla, Macrium Reflect Free, DriveImage XML, EaseUS Todo Backup and Paragon Backup & Recovery Free).
———–
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5371 * Firefox v134.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24090.11-1.1.24090.11 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.5.158-1.0.5135 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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bumblebee, RuosChalet, satrow

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Paul T wrote:

MR V8 free is still available (was last time I looked).
Aomei free is good – I use it.
Paragon.
EaseUs.
etc.

cheers, Paul

Thanks PaulT. I have now downloaded MR. Thanks for naming some alternatives as well.

lmacri wrote:

Paul T wrote:

MR V8 free is still available (was last time I looked). Aomei free is good – I use it. Paragon. EaseUs. etc.

Hi bumblebee:

Further to PaulT’s post # 2742408 about Macrium Reflect Free v8 (which I also use), if you decide to go with this software be sure to scroll down to the Editor’s Note at the bottom of that official download mirror at https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html, which states in part:

“To get to the free version. During installation, you need to check personal use > and agree to use the software only for personal, non-commercial purposes. Then, you will need to uncheck register this installation of Macrium Reflect.”

Many of the free disk imaging programs mentioned by others in this topic were reviewed in the Sept 2024 TechRepublic article at Top 5 Free & Reliable Hard Disk Drive Cloning Software (i.e., Clonezilla, Macrium Reflect Free, DriveImage XML, EaseUS Todo Backup and Paragon Backup & Recovery Free).
———–
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5371 * Firefox v134.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24090.11-1.1.24090.11 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.5.158-1.0.5135 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

Thanks Imacri. Yes I’d spotted the MajorGeeks editor’s note at the bottom of the page. Thank you also for providing the link to the TechRepublic article. I’ll go and have a read of this.

Thanks RetiredGeek for your post #2742462. I wasn’t aware imaging programs don’t need to be upgraded. Good to know that you are still happily using MR v6 and to hear your views on Terabyte’s Image For Windows.

I’ll follow up with other replies tomorrow.

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One thing to remember about Imaging programs is you never need to upgrade them as long as it works! You don’t need to be on the internet when you run them. You, as a home user, don’t need all the fancy features they keep adding.

I’m still installing Macrium Reflect V6 on machines I set up for people in our retirement community and it does a great job. It still runs fine on Windows 11.

If you want to purchase the program I use for myself (I used Reflect for over a decade) it’s Terabyte’s Image For Windows (one time purchase w/free updates within the current major version, see 1st paragraph). I can’t say enough about how well this program works and it is faster than Reflect. You can search my posts here about IFW and also see @bbearren posts about it. I’ve never had a failure with either program so I can recommend them highly.

Believe me I do restores a lot since I’m constantly messing around with my 4 machines.

IFW bailed me out just last Thurs. (Jan 23, 2025) you can see my post here.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Bookman, bumblebee, RuosChalet, bbearren

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bbearren wrote:

Except for making my offline storage image backup copies (on HDD’s plugged into the drive dock on my NAS), my backup image regimen is totally automated via Task Scheduler; images created to local SSD, then Robocopied to my NAS, all in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

I use a similar automated backup procedure using Macrium Reflect with Task Scheduler.  I sleep rather than shut-down my PC overnight so that Task Scheduler can run in the wee hours to make daily differential backups and a full backup every Sunday.  Backups are made to an internal drive, so every Sunday I make a second full backup to an external drive.  I used to copy the Sunday backup to the external drive, but it took nearly as long as simply creating a complete new image.  Further, Reflect manages the backup sets automatically so I don’t have to be concerned about running out of disk space or whether the differential backups are properly associated with the full backup.  In my case, Reflect automatically keeps 3 full + 6 differential images on internal storage and 6 full images on external disk.  I even have an alarm set to remind me to do the manual image on Sunday.

Once set up, it’s practically self-run, and Reflect has been near flawless.  Another feature I use frequently is to mount an image as a separate drive in File Explorer.  I’ve used this frequently to recover inadvertently deleted files.  Using the restore tab, I can mount the C: partition from that morning’s image (e.g., Drive E:).  I can then browse my entire drive for any lost files and copy them back to my C: drive.  Typically takes less than 5 minutes!

And ALL this is with the FREE version!  I’m using Reflect version 7 but have a version 8 installer.exe at the ready to install on a new laptop.

BTW, Susan, you’re absolutely right.  When I go to install MR <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Free</span> on my new laptop, I’ll remember to donate.  😏

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bumblebee wrote:

I want to install some backup imaging software to his new machine. I have been using Macrium Reflect (free edition) for a number of years now

Like you I have been using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) for years and through many versions, although I’ve also tried many other alternative products to see what they’re like.

Currently I’m using an MRF (v8) ISO from a Ventoy-bootable external USB HDD to manually backup and/or restore.

I’m about to begin a major change to using Terabyte Image for Windows (IFW) v4 instead of MRF.

I’ve searched here on AskWoody for Terabyte and read many of the over-1000 search results. I’ve read the IFW manual and wandered though the IFW forum. I’ve searched the internet and read articles about using IFW.

In short, I think I now know the pros and cons of changing my long-established backup/restore regime.

So… why am I changing? Basically it’s mostly down to ease-of-use. MRF is great – and has proved to be very reliable – but I can’t automate/schedule/script it… it’s a manual operation for me and becoming less convenient.

For me the $50/£40 GBP cost for IFW that will last for as long as I want it to (and can be used on up to 5 devices), instead of an annual subscription for MR, is a no-brainer. I just don’t like subscription-based software.

IMO it’s probably best to consider what your friend would prefer – (ongoing) cost or ease-of-use? Alternatively, which solution is your friend likely to use regularly without forgetting or putting it off ‘cos it’s inconvenient?

Hope this helps…

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Cybertooth

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Rick Corbett wrote:

So… why am I changing? Basically it’s mostly down to ease-of-use. MRF is great – and has proved to be very reliable – but I can’t automate/schedule/script it… it’s a manual operation for me and becoming less convenient.

Except for making my offline storage image backup copies (on HDD’s plugged into the drive dock on my NAS), my backup image regimen is totally automated via Task Scheduler; images created to local SSD, then Robocopied to my NAS, all in the wee hours of Sunday morning. I make the offline backup copies while having my morning coffee, monitored through RDP.

That fits my definition of ease of use. Set it up, give it a trial run, correct any oversights, then for get it—from that point on, my only intervention is, as I said, making the offline storage copies to HDD.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Thanks Rick ( #2742508) for your views and experience with using MR and the questions you posed. In reality my friend is not very IT literate so won’t be performing any backups himself. I’ll be the one performing the image backups. I was going to set his computer up to sync his data files with Google Drive. I would then periodically image his ‘C’ drive (containing Windows 11 and his programs). I’m hoping this can be done remotely.

Good luck with switching to Terabyte Image for Windows. I’m interested to hear how you find it.

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We use Acronis True Image for Western Digital https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/6550/~/install-and-uninstall-acronis-true-image-for-western-digital-on-windows  .

The free software requires download and installation to a computer connected to at least one compatible Western Digital drive including low-cost external USB drives.

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Just a kind reminder that no vendor can stay in business with free offerings.  If you like a vendor, remember to support them.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Evit, Cybertooth

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Susan

Perhaps I did not choose the correct language when I called Acronis True Image for Western Digital “free software.”

In order to use the app, you are required to have a Western Digital product such as a solid-state drive, hard drive, or USB flash drive attached to the computer that you are installing Acronis on. After installing Acronis you are free to disconnect an external drive.

Thus, the WD Acronis is a “bundled” piece of software not free.

I assume that Western Digital has a contractual relationship with Acronis covering their distribution of the software.

But yes, I do agree that we should software vendors.

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bumblebee

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I recommand Clonezilla.

I tried many of the mentionned above and Clonezilla is the fastest of all.

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The downside of Clonezilla is it’s manual and you need to stop using your machine to back it up. I prefer ones that backup while I’m using Windows.

cheers, Paul

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Oh really? I didn’t know that. Having to stop using your machine is quite a negative for me. I suppose I’ve been spoilt with Macrium Reflect.

 

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

We use Acronis True Image for Western Digital

I use the paid/subscription Acronis True Image
Does the free WD version get security/bugs.. (Got an update 2 days ago) ?

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bumblebee

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I recommend Image for Windows – TeraByte Unlimited. See the website or above for information on pricing. It is fast, easy to use, and very reliable. There is also a 30 day free trial.

And as Susan said, software is not free to produce so support a vendor it you like the software.

--Joe

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bumblebee

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